The Hindu : Sport : Diksha Gaikwad steals the show

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Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008
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Sport - Sports : General

Diksha Gaikwad steals the show

Nandakumar Marar

Making a mark: Diksha Gaikwad won the gold in 48 kg category at the Commonwealth Youth Games.

PUNE: Diksha Gaikwad powered India to a weightlifting gold in the women’s 48kg category with record attempts in snatch, clean & jerk at the Commonwealth Youth Games. Shiv Shankar Singh bagged a silver in the men’s 56 kg. He lifted 216 kg, behind champion Tulo Manueli of Fiji (219 kg).

For a sport tainted by the shadow of performance-enhancing substances, Diksha’s awareness of the problem and alertness in taking precautions when offered mineral water was encouraging. The 18-year-old girl recorded 64 kg in the snatch and 76 kg in clean & jerk for a total lift of 140 kg, a clear winner ahead of Jessica Ruel (138) and Utako Alikli (128).

She asked for water to quench her thirst when facing the media, but refused to take a bottle with cap broken. She asked for a new bottle instead. “It is better to drink from a new bottle to avoid problems because of the dope test,” said the Maharashtra girl, for whom coach Kiran Sinhasane’s eye for talent was the turning point at the age of seven.

Proud parents

Watched by parents Pradeep and Manda Gaikwad who purchased tickets to enter the Shiv Chhatrapati complex for the event, she set a new standard in CYG with 62 snatch and 73 jerk, upping the effort to 64 and 76 respectively and leaving the rivals way behind. “Diksha performed in front of such a big crowd. We are proud parents,” said Pradeep, who had been reluctant to allow his third daughter into a rough sport like weightlifting.

“I asked her to take up athletics or cricket, she was a champion batswoman for Kesarbhai Lakhotiya School, but when Sinhasane sir convinced us about her talent for lifting weights, we did not stand in her way,” said Pradeep about Diksha.

The results (finals):

Women: 48 kg: 1. Diksha Gaikwad (India) 140 kg total; 2. Jessica Ruel (Canada) 138; 3. Utako Alikli (Nauru) 128.

Men: 56 kg: 1. Tulo Manueli (Fiji) 219 kg total; 2. Shiv Shankar Singh (India) 216; 3. Bin Ammeran Khairul (Mal) 215.

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